Heavy metal fans ‘share traits’ with classical buffs

FANS of heavy metal and classical music have much more in common than most people would imagine, a study has revealed.

Researchers found fans of the music styles shared “virtually identical” personality traits, such as being creative and at ease with themselves.

The finding was revealed yesterday in a major study into the link between people’s musical tastes and their personalities.

Researcher Professor Adrian North, of Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University, said the survey of more than 36,000 people from all over the world is by far the biggest study of its kind ever undertaken.

He now wants people to contribute to a follow-up study looking at how music preferences affect the way we relate to those around us.

Prof North, head of the university’s department of applied psychology, said he spent much of his time looking at the traits shown by heavy metal fans and was surprised by what he discovered.

“I was struck by how similar fans of heavy metal and classical music really are,” he said. “Apart from the age differences, they were virtually identical.

“Both were more creative than other people, both were not terribly outgoing and they were also quite at ease.”

He said both types of music have theatricality which may appeal to similar types of people.

Some 36,518 people from countries as far afield as Malaysia, China, Japan and Chile were asked to rate 104 musical styles ranging from chart pop to Bollywood music and opera.

Prof North said the findings from the online survey revealed musical tastes can be seen as a direct reflection of people’s characters.

“Researchers have been showing for decades that fans of rock and rap are rebellious, and that fans of opera are wealthy and well-educated, but this is the first time research has shown that personality links to liking for a wide range of musical styles.

“Whatever music you like, it tells us something about you.”

He said the findings were often surprising.

In particular, he found huge similarities between people from different continents who shared the same music tastes. “What was interesting was that they didn’t differ from each other. It’s almost as if these musical types transcend national boundaries.

“All the jazz fans, for example, had a lot more in common with another jazz fan in another continent than they would with a fan of a different musical style in their own country.”

A number of stereotypes were also confirmed.

“Fans of country and western tend to be more hard-working, fans of reggae were more at ease and fans of jazz were more creative.”

He is urging as many people as possible from anywhere in the world to visit www.peopleintomusic.com where they will be asked to complete a short questionnaire to help with the research.